LOS ANGELES (KABC) – A Los Angeles police officer died Thursday after a training accident at LAPD’s Elysian Park Academy.
Houston Tipping, 32, a five-year veteran of the force who served as a bicycle instructor in the Devonshire area, was injured during a training exercise that involved fighting another officer, according to LAPD.
Officer Tipping fell to the ground and suffered a “catastrophic spinal injury,” officials said.
Officers immediately began CPR and Tipping was taken to USC Medical Center, but on Sunday he succumbed to his injuries.
In a statement, LAPD chief Michel Moore said:
“The Department is fully investigating the accident to try to identify whether further action can be taken to ensure that this tragedy is avoided in the future … We apologize for this tragic loss. I am proud of Officer Tipping’s classmates who go immediately arise.in action, initiating CPR and other rescue measures, as well as the work of the LA Fire Department.
“I am also grateful to Dr. Kenji Inaba and the amazing medical staff at USC Medical Center in Los Angeles County for doing their best to save him.”
Memorial arrangements for tipping officers are pending. He is survived by his parents Richard and Shirley, and his girlfriend Britney.
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